December 1 | Standing Firm
1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
The definition of revival is, “a spiritual awakening of the church in their love for God and people that impacts the community with salvation, discipleship and community transformation.” Many different kinds of revivals have impacted nations and cities around the world in various generations. But no matter when and where these revivals occurred, they always bore the same fruit- salvation, discipleship and community transformation. Just like in the book of Acts, when the gospel came to a city and the people received it, souls were saved, disciples were made and the community was transformed (Acts 8:4-8 & 19:1-22).
Consider the amazing Methodist revivals in England and in the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries that helped ground these countries in freedom and innovation, especially America’s Bible belt. Also, the Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles during the early 1900’s sent the fire of God all around the world to such places like China, Brazil, South Korea, Philippines, Colombia and Nigeria. As a result, these nations are currently seeing salvations in the millions and transformation of entire communities!
Consider Jesus, He was always bringing revival wherever He went because He lived in personal revival.
It is time in our generation to be a disciple of Christ and impact the world we live in. If we don’t do the basics of being Christ’s disciples it will not matter how much we pray and fast; nor how many miracles we see. In the wilderness the Israelites saw miracles every day, like manna from God, but they never did the basics by loving God and keeping His commands. However, John the Baptist never performed one miracle, yet he had the biggest revival the Jewish people had seen in over 400 years!
Furthermore, God told Isaiah how to truly fast and experience revival from the inside out; "6 Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I” (Isaiah 58:6-9).
Notice how God said in verse 8 that when we do the things He commanded, our light will break forth like the dawn. Therefore, I believe that when we do the things that are listed in this devotional series we will see the nations saved and communities transformed.
Paul wrote in today’s passage the four things we need to do to embark on the lifestyle of revival. First, we must be on our guard against the lies of the devil. Second, be firm in our faith- never give up on God’s promises. Third, be courageous to fight against the evil of our day. Fourth, be strong in God’s power by believing all things are possible with Jesus!
Reflection
Do you want to see revival in your community?
Action
- Repent of any sin you may have. Andrew Murray wrote, “A true revival means nothing less than a revolution, casting out the spirit of worldliness and selfishness, and making God and His love triumph in the heart and life.”
- Prepare yourself to be totally obedient to God’s Word.
- Ask God to empower you to hate sin and love righteousness.
One Year Reading Plan
Daniel 8:1-27, 1 John 2:1-17, Psalm 120:1-7, & Proverbs 28:25-26. Click here to read online.